SALPERTON CLAIMS OVERALL VICTORY IN PORTO CERVO
‘We’re flying flag lima,’ said the race committee boat just before racing was due to get underway on the last day of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta – organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Boat International Media – and so began a pursuit race of a different kind as the fleet of 21 sailing superyachts followed the race officers north to a new start area.
Saturday dawned overcast and with little wind, but on reports that there was more wind to the north, the committee boat relocated to the west of Capo Ferro. With the breeze in the bay at around 5 knots, and reports up near the island of Spargi of 7 knots of wind, two custom courses were set. Classes A and B would track northwest through bomb alley, sail clockwise around Spargi, then come back through bomb alley to the finish. The slower Class C yachts would follow a similar course, but would round a laid mark to the southeast of Spargi.
With the fastest yacht starting first today, it was the 45m Visione that set the pace over the line, hoisting their spinnaker for a reach to the first gybe mark. As the fleet slowly hoisted and crossed, it became apparent that the wind was fading, and not long after 37m party boat Bliss crossed the line – setting off an orange smoke bomb to match their giant orange kite – the race committee hoisted november over alpha, the code signal for race abandoned. Citing reports of zero wind up at Spargi, and wanting to keep the racing as ‘a fair contest’, the fleet dropped sail and headed for home. It was a disappointing end to what has been a magical event, but owners, their guests and crews were all thrilled with the sailing that they have been able to get in over the last four days.
The abandoned race meant that the overall placings are as Friday night’s standings, with three races counting for the trophies. In Class A, My Song achieved a resounding victory with three wins out of three; second and third went to 25m Aegir and the Baltic 112 Nilaya respectively.
In Class B, Salperton IV took the win, ahead of fellow Fitzroy yacht Zefira – at 49.7m, the largest yacht in this year’s fleet – and the Southern Wind Cape Arrow. Bequia held on to win Class C, with the 37m Genevieveand 30.8m Oyster Sarafin second and third respectively. Genevieve and Sarafin held the same scoreline at nine points each, but Genevieve took second on countback after winning Friday’s race.
‘It’s our first time here at the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta,’ said the owner of Genevieve. ‘We’re having a great time, whether crew, race team or my guests.’
‘This regatta is amazing,’ enthused Jorge Heinritz, helmsman aboard the Hoek-designed 24m Drumfire. ‘The setting is incredible. I know the area here but this is our first Loro Piana, and I am impressed. The owner is happy, the guests are happy, and the crew are happy. Stay like you are – everyone is happy!’
For the owner and friends aboard 37m superyacht Bliss, the regatta has been as much party as competition. ‘We’ve completely removed the serious element, so it’s 100 per cent fun,’ beamed Paul, otherwise known as Lumpy and the yacht’s ‘entertainment manager’. ‘We have one motto – it’s important to have a reputation, good or bad, and I think we’ve done that here…’
‘We’re quite happy as the boat is not in 100 per cent racing condition,’ said Cape Arrow‘s crew boss Guido Maisto. ‘It’s been beautiful and the conditions we’ve had have been unbelievable. It’s been amazing.’
For Dario Ferrari, who chartered the Southern Wind yacht Windfall for the event, it was a chance to get back into racing after an operation on his knees two years ago. ‘The boat was fantastic,’ he enthused, ‘very enjoyable – and the area is one of the most beautiful. The racing was very nice – I have nothing but positive things to say! I have to say that the Southern Wind is one of the best boats…’
We’ve had a wonderful regatta,’ beamed Barry Houghton, Salperton IV‘s owner, who collected a hefty haul of silverware, including the Silver Jubilee Cup by Boat International Media, presented by Loro Piana. ‘There were fantastic conditions for three days of beautiful sailing.’
His sentiment was echoed by Class C winner, Jes Staley – owner of the wooden yacht Bequia. ‘It was a great regatta, with super boats to race against,’ he said after collecting his trophy. ‘It’s a beautiful place, and it’s also a great win for all the guys in Maine who helped build the yacht.’
Pier-Luigi Loro Piana was also ecstatic after My Song‘s emphatic win in Class A. ‘Today finally we won,’ he smiled. ‘I think here is one of the best places in the world. The wind has been good, and the fact that the regatta has attracted more boats this year shows that Sardinia is the preferred place for superyachts!’
